Director, Manufacturing Legal Counsel

Kyowa Kirin is a global specialty pharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of patients. Kyowa Kirin, Inc., the U.S. operating entity, is expanding its North American footprint by building its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina (“Sanford”), a greenfield site currently progressing through the construction phase. As the site moves toward start‑up and future operations, we are seeking a full‑time, embedded attorney to support this critical initiative as it scales from build‑out to steady‑state operations.

The Manufacturing Counsel will be a member of the U.S. Kyowa Kirin Legal Department and serve as the primary legal business partner supporting the Sanford manufacturing site, with a focus on contracting and transactional support, while acting as the first point of legal contact for site leadership on regulatory, Human Resources, and operational matters.

Senior Director, Senior Corporate Counsel (Princeton, NJ), with dotted-line reporting relationship to the Vice President of Manufacturing (Sanford, NC).

Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity, you set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure your actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives.

Comfortable working onsite in a manufacturing and construction environment and engaging directly with operational stakeholders.

Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment.

Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness.

Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain.

Physical Demands: The role will initially involve work in an office setting and on an active construction site in Sanford, North Carolina, with a planned transition in 2027 to the fully operational Sanford manufacturing facility.

Working Conditions: Requires up to 10% domestic and limited international travel

The anticipated salary for this position will be $227,300 to $270,000.  The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• →401K with company matching
• →Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• →Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• →Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• →HSA & FSA Programs
• →Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• →Long-Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• →Life & Disability Insurance
• →Concierge Service
• →Pet Insurance
• →Tuition Assistance
• →Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected and stored by Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (“Controller”), which is located at 510 Carnegie Center Dr. Princeton, NJ 08540 USA and can be contacted by emailing kkus.talentacquisition.8h@kyowakirin.com. Controller’s data protection officer can be contacted at usprivacyoffice@kyowakirin.com. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller’s recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment. 

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller’s behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. The transfer will be made using appropriate additional safeguards under the standard contractual clauses approved by regulators for transfers of personal data outside the European Union.

Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment.  Under the GDPR, if you are located in the European Union, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have the right to data portability, and to lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority. If you have any questions about our use of your data, you may contact us by email at usprivacyoffice@kyowakirin.com.

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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